Question
QUESTION: I moved a 5yr old 7ft bloodgood Japanese Maple last April. Not best timing as it had already leafed out, but it was going to be killed if I hadn't saved it. Saved as much feeder roots as possible, kept root mass as large as could be & had hole waiting. it did not loss a single leaf, nor look stressed all summer. I did thin out some branches, and fertilized with a root booster, watered and mulched.. This spring it has started leafing out but it is very sparse,so far about 1/3 the usual production. All others in the neighbourhood are full at this point. What can I do to save this tree? I have given it soem fertilizer this week and watered it. thanks.

ANSWER: With this large of a tree I would expect some foliage response since you did reduce the root system a good bit. I think you have done what i would recommend--fertilize and water. I would water once a week with 1 inch of water --place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this IF it does not rain that week. The other tree that are full did not have the root damage from the transplanting and their root system is more advanced and can support more foliage. As the tree grows more roots it will put on more foliage. I expect this will take a couple of years to improve.

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QUESTION: Thanks for the speedy response..Will follow your advice..What do I do with any branches that did not produce leaves? Prune them off, or wait? (I guess I am asking if they should be assumed to be dead, or just in a dormant state).

Answer
First check and see if the branch is still alive--start near the end of the branch and scrap a small bit of bark off and if the color under the bark is green the branch is still alive at this point on the branch. If the color is brown continue down the branch scraping at intervals until you find green or reach the trunk. If none is found the branch is dead. You can prune these dead branches off or as you say wait and see and if nothing sprouts out in a month or so go ahead and cut the branches off. Prune them back to the main trunk or a living area but not flush with the trunk--leave about a 1/4 inch from the trunk. This area is called the branch collar and if left the wound will heal over faster. Do not use wound dressing on the cut this will slow down the healing process.